James Brown McCaw was an American physician, editor, teacher, and Confederate medical officer.
Background
James Brown McCaw was born on July 12, 1823 at Richmond, Virginia. He was a descendant of James McCaw, a Scotch surgeon who emigrated from Wigtownshire, Scotland, to Virginia in 1771 and settled near Norfolk. His son, James Drew, was a pupil of Benjamin Bell of Edinburgh and graduated from the medical school of Edinburgh University. Returning to Richmond he practised there until his death. Dr. William Reid McCaw, son of the last-named and also a Richmond practitioner, married Ann Ludwell Brown and was the father of James Brown McCaw.
Education
Having received his premedical education from Richmond Academy, James studied medicine in the University of the City of New York, where he was a pupil of Valentine Mott. He graduated in 1843, returned to Richmond, and soon became a leader in his profession.
Career
From April 1853 to December 1855, McCaw was an editor of the Virginia Medical and Surgical Journal. The name of the publication was then changed to Virginia Medical Journal, and McCaw was coeditor from January 1856 to December 1859. In 1858, he became professor of chemistry in the Medical College of Virginia. His military service began with his enlistment in a cavalry troop, in which he was serving when Gen. Joseph Johnston asked for hospitalization for 9, 000 men of his army. Surgeon-General Samuel P. Moore, who had but 2, 500 beds at his disposal, went to see McCaw and they selected the site and name of Chimborazo Hospital. Early in 1862 it was opened. Eventually there were 150 wards, each 100 x 30 feet. Five large hospitals, or divisions, each consisting of thirty wards, were organized. A surgeon with forty or fifty assistant surgeons had charge of each, and all were under the supervision of McCaw. In addition to the buildings for wards, there were 100 Sibley tents for convalescents, and such service buildings as ice houses and Russian baths.
Chimborazo was the largest hospital of the Civil War, the next largest being Lincoln Hospital in Washington. Seventy-six thousand patients were treated there. In view of the poverty of the Confederacy in subsistence, clothing, and medicines, and of what was generally accomplished by the practice of the day, the results achieved at Chimborazo were considered good. In 1864, McCaw became editor of the Confederate States Medical Journal, the only medical periodical published under the Confederacy, fourteen numbers of which were issued. After the war McCaw resumed private practice, teaching, and writing. He took up again his work as a professor of chemistry in the Medical College of Virginia, and in 1868, became professor of the practice of medicine, which position he held until 1883. He was also dean of the college for twelve years and later president of the board of visitors. In April 1871, he became one of the editors of the Virginia Clinical Record, of which three volumes were published. McCaw died on August 13, 1906, at Richmond.
Achievements
McCaw was a founder and charter member of the Medical Society of Virginia, and a member and once president of the Richmond Academy of Medicine.
Personality
McCaw was a man of striking presence and forceful but genial personality.
Interests
Music & Bands
McCaw was fond of music and was for many years president of the Mozart Society of Richmond.
Connections
In 1845, McCaw married Delia Patteson; nine children were born to them, three of whom entered the medical profession.
